London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Beijing Olympic medallist Ross Edgar could compete in endurance events at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games after being confirmed in the group in British Cycling's announcement of the latest funded athletes.

China will loosen its decades-old one-child policy by allowing two children for families with one parent who was an only child and will abolish a much-criticised labour camp system, its ruling Communist Party says.

Chinese investors have waded into the capital’s buy-to-let market to snap up flats in Canary Wharf for up to £500,000 each three years ahead of completion, the head of London builder Telford Homes said today.